MOUNA-KEA. 403 
colour. The peak in the centre, and that on the 
western side, are the highest.* 
In the native language, the word kea , though 
seldom used now, formerly meant, white. Some 
white men, who are said to have resided inland, 
and to have come down to the sea shore frequently 
* The following observations respecting a subsequent 
visit to this mountain from Waiakea, contained in a letter 
from Mr. Goodrich to Professor Silliman, of New Haven, 
are copied from the Philosophical Magazine for Sep¬ 
tember, 1826. 
u There appear to be three or four different regions, in 
passing from the sea-shore to the summit. The first oc¬ 
cupies five or six miles, where cultivation is carried on in 
a degree, and might be to almost any extent; but as yet, 
not one twentieth part is cultivated. The next is a sandy 
region, that is impassable, except in a few foot-paths. 
Brakes, a species of tall fern, here grow to the size of 
trees ; the bodies of some of them are eighteen inches in 
diameter. The woody region extends between ten and 
twenty miles in width. The region higher up produces 
grass, principally of the bent kind. Strawberries, rasp¬ 
berries, and whortle-berries flourish in this region, and 
herds of wild cattle are seen grazing. It is entirely broken 
up by hills and valleys, composed of lava, with a very 
shallow soil. The upper region is composed of lava in 
almost every form, from huge rocks to volcanic sand of 
the coarser kind. Some of the peaks are composed of 
coarse sand, and others of loose stones and pebbles. 
I found a few specimens, that I should not hesitate to 
pronounce fragments of granite. I also found fragments 
of lava, bearing a near resemblance to a geode, filled with 
green crystals, which I suppose to be augite. Very near 
to the summit, upon one of the peaks, I found eight or ten 
dead sheep ; they p^jbably fled up there to seek a refuge 
from the wild dogs; I have heard that there are many 
wild dogs, sheep, and goats. Dogs and goats I have 
never seen. I was upon the summit about 2 o’clock p. m., 
the wind south-west, much resembling the cold bluster¬ 
ing winds of March; the air, being so rare, produced a 
severe pain in my head, that left me as I descended. j| 
2 D 2 
